Starting Your Seams for Your Hand-Knitted Tara Cardigan

Starting Your Seams: A Professional Finish for Your Hand-Knitted Tara Cardigan

/ How its Made, Knitwear tutorials / By

Hi, this is Justine from Ossian Knitwear. Today, I want to share a simple technique that makes a real difference to the professional appearance of your finished garments—how to start your seams without leaving visible knots.

The Problem with Traditional Starting Knots

When you’re sewing up your hand-knitted pieces, it’s perfectly functional to simply start stitching with a knot at the end of your thread. Your seam will hold, and the garment will stay together. But from an aesthetic perspective, those visible knots can detract from the beautiful work you’ve just spent so much time creating.

For the Tara cardigan I’m currently making in Cheviot wool, I use a method that hides the starting knot completely, giving you a much cleaner, more professional finish.

My Hidden Knot Technique

Here’s what I do:

Step 1: Instead of starting right at the edge where you’ll begin sewing, I position my needle a little bit further up the seam line.

Step 2: I weave the threaded end (with the knot) through the fabric, working it into the knitting to secure it and neaten everything up.

Step 3: I pull the thread through so the knot sits further up inside the seam, completely hidden from view.

Step 4: Now I can begin bringing the two pieces together at the actual starting point, working my mattress stitch without any visible knot at the seam edge.

Why This Method Works

This approach means you don’t have a large, obvious knot visible on your side seam. It’s tucked away further up the garment where it won’t be seen or felt. It’s one of those small details that separates a home-knitted look from a professionally finished garment.

Tips for Knitting Enthusiasts

Choose the Right Yarn for Seaming: I always use the same yarn I’ve knitted with for seaming. It ensures perfect color matching and the seam behaves the same way as the rest of the fabric when you wash and wear your garment.

Thread Length: Use a comfortable working length—usually about 45-60cm (18-24 inches). Too long and it tangles; too short and you’ll have to start new threads frequently.

Tension Matters: When weaving in your starting knot, don’t pull too tightly. You want it secure but not puckering the fabric.

Lighting: Good lighting is essential for seaming. You need to see those individual stitches clearly, especially when working with darker yarns like this gray Cheviot wool.

About Cheviot Wool

The Cheviot wool I’m using for this Tara cardigan is wonderful to work with. It’s a hardy British breed wool known for its resilience and beautiful texture. It holds stitches well, which makes both the knitting and the seaming process more satisfying.

Part of the Journey

This tutorial is part of our “How It’s Made” series at Ossian Knitwear, where I share the traditional techniques that go into creating lasting, beautiful hand-knitted garments. Each step, from casting on to these final finishing touches, contributes to a piece you’ll treasure for years.

Once you’ve mastered this hidden knot technique, you can apply it to any seaming project. It’s become second nature to me now, and I think you’ll find it quickly becomes part of your finishing routine too.

In my next tutorial, I’ll show you the rest of the seaming process for the Tara cardigan, so you can see how all these techniques come together.

Happy knitting!

The Tara Cardigan knitting pattern is available in our store, and custom-made cardigans can be ordered through Ossian Knitwear.

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